Overcoming-A fabulous Easter gift

Overcoming-A fabulous Easter gift

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

March 2018

copyright

Have you ever thought of how people in heaven see you and how God sees you in situations?  About eight years ago, I felt God challenging me with this question as I found myself in the middle of great loss and feeling weaker than I had ever felt in my life.  

My view of the situation and being a relatively young widow was not positive, to say the least.  It seemed to me all my dreams of what I thought life would be in this season were washed away.  I realized if I continued seeing my life in a negative light, it would lead me down a path I really did not want to go down.  So I began to ask God how He, and the rest of heaven saw me and my life. 

 He took me to I John 5:4 which states, “whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  Who is he who overcomes the world but he who believes Jesus is the son of God.” (NIV) That scripture states that as children of God, overcoming power resides in us to overcome any situation we face. 

Jesus overcame the grave and conquered death. He rose above his circumstances. The definition of overcoming is: to get the better of, to get the victory over.  I felt God say, “Kathleen, I see you as an overcomer.  You have my power within you to overcome the heartache you feel.  You have a God given right to get the better of this situation and make a profit from it.”  

That was not exactly how I saw my situation and ask God to change my thinking to see myself as an overcomer.  I knew that only God can heal my heart, and I also knew I had choices.

Eight pound bass I caught in El Salto Mexico
Fishing-Part of my new life

John 16:32 says, “In the world you will have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.”(NIV)  The word for tribulation here is translated as pressure.  Yes, this world brings plenty of pressure!

 Jesus says we will have trouble in this world but not to stress about it because His power in us will help us to make a profit from any trouble. God is too good to let us encounter problems without providing the provision for us.  I have discovered that life is more about finding the provision in tribulation instead of fixing the problem.  

I John 4:4 says, “You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”(NIV) 

 Nothing is greater than the power of God in us to overcome in any situation.  You and I never have to settle for defeat.  The power to overcome is more powerful than any force that comes against us!  Now that is good news!

Jesus gave his all to his disciples and those around him. He loved when I’m sure he did not want to but did out of obedience to God. Then some of them turned against him, complained, betrayed and help crucify him. He overcame the grave, he is an overcomer, and we are made in His image; therefore, overcoming power resides in us. Overcoming is God’s Easter gift to us and part of the new life he gives to us.

Sometimes our overcoming looks different  and takes longer than we might think. Making a profit from a difficult situation is often seen in growth in our character. Who are we and how do we show up when the cards are stacked against us? 

My dear friends

Other times, overcoming  and healing can take a long while. A number of years ago, there was a rift in a relationship with a dear friend. I kept trusting God to heal the relationship and prayed that truth would come to heal the friendship. A few years ago, my friend came to me and began to share a personal experience they had encountered that opened their eyes. They now saw things differently from how they saw it years ago and stated they admired my character and how I walked through the situation. The words were healing to my soul and my heart smiled at God’s goodness, healing and overcoming power. Overcoming took much longer than I liked, but it finally came.

This  Easter season is your new beginning to begin to enjoy and walk in the overcoming power Jesus provides. Begin today by asking Jesus to come into your heart and ask Him to open your eyes to the overcoming power that is in you. If you know Christ, I challenge you to daily ask God to show you situations through his eyes and wear your overcoming clothes. You are not a victim, you are an overcomer. We have an awesome opportunity to grow in our walk with him and our character. He overcame his adversity so you and I can overcome things that come against us. Overcoming is God’s Easter gift to each of us-so let’s receive it and enjoy it!

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie, a native of the Hill Country, is passionate about helping others discover their value and worth. She can be contacted at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or on her blog, www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot. com

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Wearing the right thing makes you look good

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

March 2018

copyright 2018

My youngest son-Price

     A good friend and I were talking the other day and she asked,  “Kathleen, what are you going to wear? “  We were talking about a function we planned to attend together soon, and were working out the major details when that seemingly common question popped up.

      “I don’t know,” I replied, “I haven’t planned that far ahead.”  

      Women always ask other women that question  and I feel it is because we don’t want to wear something that is inappropriate.

      Personally, I am not someone that plans what to wear too far ahead. I might think about what I am going to wear for the day as I am fixing my hair and walking to my closet. 

      The day after I was asked the question, I came across a scripture that made me think about that question again. The scripture was, Colossians 3:12, which states, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity.” (NIV) 

      I love the fact that God thinks of everything. In his wisdom, he even instructs us about what to wear! Scripture shows us that these virtues will always make us look good. 

Kiss before he gets married!

     Compassion, which is concern for the suffering or misfortune of others, is vital for each of us. How good are you at showing compassion to others? I recently had someone contact me that had lost someone they loved. There were choices in this person’s life I couldn’t agree with, but my heart went out to this individual because his heart was broken. I had a perfect opportunity to take time and show him the love of God and express concern for his suffering. I wanted to be a safe place for this young adult to express his grief. I know my own personal suffering has developed a greater compassion within me and I am much quicker to wear compassion these days.

     Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous or considerate. Did you realize when you smile, you are being kind to others? Be sure and wear your smile today and watch how it affects those around you. Smiling can actually make you look younger, so if you are middle aged, it is a must wear garment. Being kind and considerate is being careful not to cause inconvenience or hurt to another.

     Being generous is giving more of something than is expected or necessary.. I am personally going to make sure I wear this more often as I realize I sometimes forget.

My beautiful new daughter-Halie

     Humility is a modest view of ones own importance. Everyone looks good when they wear this character trait. Pride is a common thief that works hard to steal our humility. There is nothing wrong with a feeling of satisfaction with an accomplishment. That is not pride. It is an accomplishment to earn a degree, win a race, or get a promotion. Wearing humility, enables us to honor others making them feel just as valued and important even above our own accomplishment. All that we have and all that we are is because of God’s grace in our lives. Yes, our choices make a difference but for those that call on God, we must remember that it is Him that enables us. Remembering that fact helps keep me in my place. Sometimes I forget that fact and self righteousness or  pride can strip me of the garment of humility. Scripture says to humble ourselves and God will lift us up. It is up to us to put on the garment of humility.

This week, I challenge you to examine your wardrobe. God gives us the most important things to wear and when we choose from God’s  wardrobe, we will always look like a million dollars. 

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is a native of the Hill Country, a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping others to discover their value and worth. You can contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or visit her blog at www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com